Bill of Comprehension

Summary

Language Hat: “Comprehension” here has its etymological sense of ‘inclusion’ (i.e., of Nonconformists within the established church).

Terry Foreman: “the House of Commons met; and upon information given them of a Bill intended to be brought in, as common report said, for Comprehension, they did mightily and generally inveigh against it, and did vote that the King should be desired by the House… that the laws against breakers of the Act of Uniformity should be put in execution: and it was moved in the House that, if any people had a mind to bring any new laws into the House, about religion, they might come, as a proposer of new laws did in Athens, with ropes about their necks.”

House of Commons Journal: Address for enforcing Church Government.

Resolved, &c. That his Majesty be humbly desired to issue his Proclamation, to enforce Obedience to the Laws in Force, concerning Religion and Church Government, as it is now established, according to the Act of Uniformity: And such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty’s Privy Council, are to attend his Majesty with this Address.http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=27057#s6